Finding The Money
Home financing is definitely a pivotal factor in the home buying and selling process. Lack of financing, the wrong financing or a delay in financing is a scenario that can cause much frustration and heartache. There is probably nothing more disappointing for a buyer than to spend weeks, possibly months, looking at homes in a particular price range only to discovering that they can not qualify for a loan. Only then do they realize they have been overlooking homes they could qualify for. That is why we stress the importance of mortgage pre-approval.
Critical First Step
Even before you start looking for a home, have a financial loan officer pre-approve you.
It is a critical first step that should not be overlooked.
Here are the key benefits of pre-approval:
• you know in advance what you can afford
• you save time not looking at the wrong price range
• you get the lender’s perspective of the marketplace
• your future agent sees your willingness to take the time is positive and a sign you know what you’re doing
• the seller’s decisions may be influenced by the fact that you have established a source of financing
• it can lead to a more efficient and faster closing
• you learn about the financial alternatives available to you and have time to consider them
Because there are many aspects involved in determining buying power, it is best to have professional help here.
The Lender Needs to Know
After you have been pre-approved and found a home you would like to purchase, you will have to fill out an application and gather important information for your loan officer. Although some lenders may need additional documentation, by having the information below ready for the initial interview, you should be able to save time and avoid possible delays later on. If you tie this information to your loan pre-approval, there will be no surprises.
Mortgage Loan Application Checklist
___ Employment History (for the past two years and include name, address, dates of employ and income)
___ Social Security Numbers for both borrower and co-borrower
___ Checking and Savings Accounts (names, addresses, acct. #s, balances, last 2 months bank statements)
___ Stock, Bonds, Investment Acct. (Statements, #s, issue dates, certificates, etc.
___ Life Insurance Policies (policy #s, amount, company, approx. cash value)
___ Retirement Plan (approx. value, statement copy)
___ Other Assets (autos, furniture, boats, real estate, etc.)
___ Liabilities (creditor name, address, acct. #s, payment amount, current balances, etc.)
___ Rent, Utilities and Other Expenses (landlord’s name and address for the past year)
___ Self-Employed or Commissioned Borrower (2 years tax returns)
___W-2′s for two years
___Paycheck stubs for one month
Remember, your loan officer is there to assist you during this process.
Your Financing Source
There are many aspects to consider before you pick a lending source. Talk to satisfied clients about the quality of service and don’t overlook the longevity and reputation of the particular institution. Don’t hesitate to get opinions regarding the financial sources you are considering. When choosing a source you should consider how competitive their rates are, the types of mortgage plans they offer, specifics of those plans, the cost to borrow and how their loans are serviced. Here is a list of questions for you to ask them:
1. What different types of mortgages do you offer?
2. Do you have multiple mortgage sources with different rates and costs that compete for your business?
3. Do you sell the mortgage after you have originated it? If so, who services my loan going forward?
4. Will you provide a written estimate of the monthly payments and a breakdown of the closing costs?
5. Do you escrow for real estate taxes and insurance?
6. Do you offer private mortgage insurance for loans with minimum down payments? What do they cost?
7. Do you offer FHA mortgages?
8. Do you have a sense of your ratio between applications and approvals?
9. Based on the information we have provided you, do you have a recommendation as to what type of loan is the best for our circumstances?
10. Who are your main competitors?
Be cautious of organizations (or a particular loan officer) that suggests you come back after you have found a home you are interested in. It is a good indication the person is unaware of the value of a loan pre-approval and a sign they may not practice good customer service. Insist on receiving a loan pre-approval. It may be a good idea to develop a good working relationship with your lender in order to be comfortable with the entire financing process. In some cases, if you have already established credit with a bank or a credit union they are already somewhat familiar with you.
What to Expect
The lending process can be confusing because loan officers will spend a great deal of time and energy trying to obtain your commitment. Then the financial institution’s underwriters will spend, what seems like, even more time challenging your application. This is due to the complimentary roles the loan origination (sales) and underwriting (risk control) functions play within the organization. Just being aware of the conflicting position may help in cutting down on the frustration it can cause.
Some Quick Tips
The type of financing, the amount of your mortgage and whom you finance with should all be based on what’s comfortable for you both financially and service-wise. This is an extremely competitive field and it will definitely pay dividends to shop for a loan. You want to be in a position where they are competing for your business. In addition to banks and credit unions, check out mortgage brokers as well. This type of lender generally has many loan products and specializes in mortgage loans only. They typically originate the loan and one of their preferred lenders funds the loan.
Unlike a traditional banker, they are strictly commission based and work more like real estate agents.There are other source of loans that you should check out. Online mortgages are available and underwritten by some of the largest financial institutions in the country. VA mortgages are available for veterans. There are also specialized mortgages. An example of a specialized mortgage is the Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) 203(k) Program. This is an FHA insured loan specifically designed for homeowners planning on repairing and occupying a “fixer-upper”. The cost of the repairs and improvements are included in the loan amount. There are many sources of loans that reveal themselves when you come into the market and utilize the tools available to seek them out.
One of the more common errors made during this process is when buyers pre-qualify, find a home and secure a contract subject to loan approval, make an application and are approved. Then they buy a car before the closing! The lender rejects the closing because their circumstances have just changed. This type of phenomenon has killed many closings. Don’t let it happen to you.
In Conclusion
Your financial circumstances, needs and preferences, should be discussed and evaluated thoroughly before making a commitment. Mortgage pre-approval will assist with the overall efficiency of the home purchase and sale. We suggest that you be prepared for the mortgage application by “gathering the proper information and forms” prior to your meeting with lenders. Save time and make up several application packages at the same time, then put them to good use. Also, remember that there are various financial institutions to choose from. Asking questions and getting accurate, straightforward answers will assist you in obtaining your housing goal.
Finding A Home Mortgage
